Photo: Coffee and cake. Every ride should be planned around coffee and cake.

The final day of the Raid. It was all about a gentle ride into Nice before the gala dinner and prize giving. It all went well, including the rain holding off whilst we were in the mountains. We even got the coffee stop right. All nine of us enjoying the delights of a small patisserie. The French don’t do coffee well but they do excellent cakes.

Our third and final climb of the day was up to Peille near the Italian border. One last photo of the mountains over lunch before the big descent into Nice.

It was a thrillingly fast descent at the front of the group but we all got down safely.

We decided to end the ride at the #ILoveNICE sign in honour of those who lost their lives  or were injured in the attack on the Promenade des Anglais on Bastille Day 2016.

I was lucky enough to win two prizes at the End of Tour Dinner. One for “Most helpful rider” (helping others and lots of hand signals) and a “Companion” award from a doctor that I’ve spent more time with than my own GP (not that difficult as I’ve needed a GP so rarely that I have no idea who my GP is).

My Alpine adventure has come to an end. I discovered new friends and that I can climb mountains for six days in a row. My legs are stronger, so the hills of Marche should be a little easier. I hope.

Ronnie made a fantastic plaque to commemorate the Raid and presented it to Jeremy for organising it all. Well deserved. Thank you Jeremy.

Raid Alpine 2018:

• Days: 6
• Kilometres: 611
• Climbing: 14,976m (1.69 Everests)
• Maximum speed (day 4): 71.6 km/h
• Calories burnt: 23,444 (3,907 per day)
• Collective kilometres: c.6,000
• Number of punctures: 0

Year to date

11,750km / 103 rides / 113 km average per ride

121,846m elevation gain (13.7 Everests)